“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21.

It is a small verse. However, the life purpose of Apostle Paul somehow is capsuled in this tiny verse. Before his encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus, his life purpose was a different one. He wrote in verse 14, “I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.” He was proud of his Jewish heritage. He wrote in Philippians 3 that he had more reasons to be confident in himself. He was circumcised on the eighth day, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee in regard to the knowledge of the Law, full of zeal in persecuting the Christian church, faultless based on the Law. Oh, man, what a wonderful resume.

Now after knowing Jesus Christ as his savior and Lord, his life purpose has altogether changed completely. No more confident just in his heritage, no more zealous for the religion and the knowledge of the Law. He has one unique purpose now, “for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” If he lives he lives for Christ and the work entrusted to him by the loving Lord. If he dies it is gain because he would be in the presence of the Lord in heaven. He also says, “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;  but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.”(vs 23-24).  You see, his desire is to depart from his body and be with Christ in heaven, which he knows is better. However, it is necessary that he remain in the body for a little bit more time for the sake of them- for the sake of the preaching of the Gospel. He understood God’s purpose for his life.

It is marvelous to see Paul who was a blasphemer, a persecutor and a violent aggressor before (1 Timothy 1:13), stayed focused on his God-given purpose until his last breath when he understood his purpose from the Lord Jesus (Acts 9:1-6 and 15). He repeatedly said ‘rejoice in the Lord’ in this epistle of Philippians even though he was in prison arrested for the cause of the Gospel. Prison is the last place we expect a call for rejoicing, don’t you agree?  What was the reason? You see if you are focused on your God-given purpose, you can face your problems. Your God-given purpose is much bigger than your problems.  Even prison cannot fade the vision God gave him and it could not contain the joy of the Lord inside his heart.

Beloved, God still is in the business of turning a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent aggressor like Saul to a servant and warrior of Christ. If he can do this in Saul’s life (who later became Paul), he can do it in your life. Paul himself wrote this in 1st Timothy 1:16, “But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” NLT. Saul who became Paul is the prime example of God’s grace and patience available even for the worst blasphemer, persecutor, and violent aggressor.

God loves you. He gives new and beautiful purpose for your life when you come to Jesus Christ. God makes you a brand new creation in Christ Jesus.

“Father in heaven, I heard how wonderfully you showed forth your great patience, love, and grace in Saul’s life that he could become the greatest missionary of all time for Jesus Christ. I admit I am a sinner. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. Reveal me your divine purpose for my life and use me for your glory. I thank you for saving me and granting me eternal life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”